Hi Paul, Tim and all,
Just a word of warning. Tim is right in saying that most of these tracks
are OK in 2WD, but its still quite possible to get stuck in the sand, I
know, I've done it.
For example when you first enter Honeymoon Hut track from Meridian road ( in
the southern section of Murray-Sunset NP), there is almost immediately a
loose sandy section. If you stopped in it you'd be stuck, but as long as you
go through at a reasonable pace you'll be fine. If you did happen to get
really bogged in the sand, try letting your tyres down until they look very
low on air(almost flat) and you'll almost certainly just drive out. As long
as you are not bogged up to your axles that is.!
As reported to Birdline Vic I chanced on some Black-eared Miners along there
this week. First 2 seen, 3.5kms along Honeymoon track from Meridian road,
and later on some more at 4kms. They all flew off to the south when
disturbed. From the views I had they looked like pretty pure-bred ones to
me. I spent many hours looking for Red-lored Whistler but had no luck with
them ( its not the first time either). They must be at very low densities in
there, and maybe I'm unlucky. Did see Black-eared Cuckoo, Gilberts Whistler,
Chestnut Quail-thrush and Striped Honeyeater though.
If you don't have any luck with the Grasswrens or Emu-wrens at Nowingi, it's
well worth giving Pink Lakes a try. There's some good areas of spinifex
under mallee along Pioneer drive. I seem to have the best luck where there
is very mature spinifex under a good canopy of mallee. Its a good area for
Pink cockatoos also, and the wildflowers are going off in there at the
moment.
Good luck.
Simon Starr,
Pyramid Hill,
Vic.
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